ken555
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| posted on 9/5/19 at 05:02 PM |
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Insurance Auto Renew - Position
My Mother (85) has just found out that her previous insurer has auto-renewed her car insurance this year.
She had shopped around and got it cheaper elsewhere.
Only found out when the bank statement came it. No documentation from the co involved.
She phoned up today to be told there is a £175 cancellation fee (on a £280 policy !)
The money was taken 11 days ago, the insurance renewal date was 8 days ago.
Does anyone know what the position is on this?
I would think its within the cooling off period for distance selling, and also I though that they weren't allowed to take a payment without
permission.
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Slimy38
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| posted on 9/5/19 at 05:19 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ken555
I though that they weren't allowed to take a payment without permission.
Unfortunately this 'permission' would have been granted at the start of the first policy, in fact the last few policies I've taken
are extremely clear (often in bold and in a prominent position) that the auto renewal will be taken unless the holder explicitly says otherwise. It
seems to be the way insurance companies make a profit nowadays, catching out the unwary.
Having said that, I do tend to get paperwork roughly a month before any policy is due to renew, reiterating the auto renew policy. It seems odd that
she didn't get anything other than the bank statement.
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mcerd1
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| posted on 9/5/19 at 07:27 PM |
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I thought you'd still get the 14 day right to cancel - at least thats on my policy....
afterall each year its a new / renewed policy with new terms and conditions
[Edited on 9/5/2019 by mcerd1]
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SteveWalker
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| posted on 9/5/19 at 08:53 PM |
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Definitely had no problem cancelling my wife's insurance a few days late when it had auto-renewed, but we'd found a better quote.
I'd call them again, point out that she received no renewal notice and that she is within 14 days of the renewal and if you get nowhere, ask to
speak to a supervisor.
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ian locostzx9rc2
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| posted on 9/5/19 at 09:40 PM |
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I’m sure all my insurance policy’s have a 14 day calling off period
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 9/5/19 at 09:54 PM |
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Isn't it illegal to have two policies on the same car anyway
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Slimy38
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| posted on 10/5/19 at 05:57 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Isn't it illegal to have two policies on the same car anyway
No. You can't make a claim on two policies for the same thing, but you can have as much insurance as you want.
As a (sort of) example, if I drive my wife's car I'm covered under her policy as a named driver, and covered under mine for driving other
cars. I couldn't make a claim on both in the event of an accident, but I would have the option of picking one.
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motorcycle_mayhem
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| posted on 10/5/19 at 09:46 AM |
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Brings back a nasty period with the #F* that did the same to me (van insurance), after hiking the premium from £220 to £460 with no explanation.
Auto renewal, but I had already called to cancel before (note to self, record these calls) and set up insurance that was cheaper than the ca. £220
renewal I was expecting from the #F*.
So many letters, Emails, etc. They wouldn't cancel the policy without a cancellation fee, etc., etc. Eventually sorted by going into a #F*
'shop' and initially being very polite, and then gradually not so. I shouldn't have had to do it.
I hate this sort of shite. From the car to the house insurance (just had a renewal for that), excessive increases for no reason whatsoever (rather
than profiteering?). I've been sitting here looking at several 'new customer' quotes, far cheaper. All are 'auto
renewal', but a good quote from First Direct does suggest that they'll contact me first..... hmmm... I wonder.
[Edited on 10/5/19 by motorcycle_mayhem]
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r1_pete
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| posted on 10/5/19 at 12:12 PM |
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DVLA depend on auto renewal now, and no longer check insurance when you tax online...
Its all a big con, many offer a slight reduction for auto renewal, cancel the auto renew a few weeks after taking the policy, but make sure you are
continually insured dont depend on the tax going through to validate your insurance.
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Paul_Arion
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| posted on 10/5/19 at 04:42 PM |
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As above, 14 day cooling off period should apply - with the insurer able to deduct for a "small" admin fee and days cover until the
cancellation. £175 is hardly "small" - i'd be on the phone to them to make a formal complaint for excessive fee charging (£25 would
be fairly reasonable imho) and looking to take it to the Insurance Ombudsman if necessary. Good luck
CAB link for
cooling off period
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ken555
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| posted on 10/5/19 at 09:31 PM |
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All sorted.
Was paid with a credit card.
So she was at the bank at 9:00 as it opened, and a quick phone call from the manageress, threatening to "section 75" them had a full
refund issued with no problem.
Sometimes, not having internet banking, and having a known face, helps a lot.
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 10/5/19 at 09:49 PM |
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Good result hats off to the bank
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FEZ1025
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| posted on 6/7/19 at 04:13 PM |
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They should have notified her 30 days before the end of her last policy, but that aside Auto-renew to my mind should be made illegal, it's just
a further con of a corrupt auto insurance business, why should I have to have 3 lots of insurance for 3 cars, I can only ever drive one at once, okay
there is teh theft aspect, but it doesn't warrant 3 seperate insurances, before somebody mentions multi-car policies I've never been
offered one that actually works out cheaper.
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